Plenty of phones have added AI features over the past couple of years, usually buried inside an assistant or tucked behind a long-press shortcut. The Xiaomi 18 Pro might take a more direct approach. Early renders posted on X show a dedicated physical key on the side of the device. That’s the Xiaomi 18 Pro AI button, and it’s not just a repurposed power button.
Leo Hefeng, who lists himself as a Xiaomi employee in his X bio, posted the renders. His images show a curved middle frame with the AI button sitting centrally on the side. He says the button will be customizable. Users can reportedly launch AI features on the spot, control smart home devices, and even interact with compatible Xiaomi EVs. Whether all of that survives to the final product is another question. Still, it fits with Xiaomi’s push to make AI feel less buried in menus.
What Else Do the Leaks Say?
The AI button isn’t the only thing making noise here. The Xiaomi 18 Pro reportedly keeps the rear secondary display that Xiaomi committed to after the 17 series sold well. Xiaomi calls the upgraded version an “AI-powered smart window.” It builds on what the Xiaomi 17 Pro’s rear screen already does. Live translation, notification controls, and selfie viewfinding are all reportedly getting improvements.
The hardware leaks point to a 6.3-inch 2K LTPO OLED display and a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip. Cameras reportedly go dual 200-megapixel across the main and telephoto slots. The battery reportedly clears 7,000mAh. Most sources point to a September 2026 China launch, which tracks with when Xiaomi released the 17 Pro Max last year.
These are early renders from one source. Nothing is confirmed yet, and there are still about five months before a rumored launch.
